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Home , Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, Mon State, Thandaung

MON STATE &

Ministry of Hotels & Office No.33 | Nay Pyi Taw +95 (0)67 4061 30 +95 (0)67 4064 54 [email protected]

HIGHLIGHTS Individual, culturally rich and scenically inspiring

Mon

Boasting varied landscapes which include islands, hills, tropical forest, crop land and plantations, covers the upper part of the Tanintharyi Peninsula. Its capital, (also known Mawlamyaing) is ’s 4th largest city, and the capital of the former British Empire. The state is renowned for Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, aptly named Golden Rock, and Win Sein Taw Ya, which is the site of the world’s largest reclining Buddha statue. Such rich religious cultural heritage is unsurprising given that Mon is where was first established in Myanmar some 2,500 years ago.

Kayin

Encircled by karst limestone peaks that soar out of lush green paddy fields, Hpa An, is the picturesque capital of Kayin State (also known as Karen). Most famous for its impressive and very sacred limestone caves, Kayin State also offers many scenic spots comprising of hills and rivers, and farmlands. A popular place to start the ascent of Mount Zwegabin is Lumbini Garden, home to over 1,100 Buddha statues. Take time to appreciate the stunning views of this mountainous area before taking a slow boat down the River to exotic Mawlamyine in Mon State. Mon - a place of WELCOME TO spiritual birth and rebirth Mon State is vibrantly spiritual; monasteries offer insight awareness meditation (satipatthana vipassana), and Pa Auk Taw MON & KAYIN Ya, which at 500 acres is one of the largest meditation centres in Myanmar, is about 10km from Mawlamyine. Buddhists reside alongside a strong Baptist community since this is where the initial First Baptist Church was founded by American Adoniram Judson in 1827. His legacy included being the first person to translate the Bible into Burmese. History lovers also enjoy the Mon Cultural Museum and visiting , the capital of the ancient Mon Kingdom.

Kayin - a celebration of nature’s gifts

The picturesque scenery of Kayin State, including over an estimated 300,000 acres of monsoon rice paddy, benefits from the rainfall of its hot and humid climate. Farming is a big feature of the landscape, with hillside farms a common sight, cultivating crops of groundnut, sesame, beans and pulses, sugarcane, rubber, areca and fruit. Kayin is also an important tea and coffee producing region. Animist festivals often mark successful harvests and local produce can be found at colourful markets where visitors have the chance to sample and purchase fresh foods and traditional crafts as well as to mingle with friendly native people.

MON Past protagonist and tropical backdrop of many stories

Thanlwin, the longest road and rail bridge in the country, is one of the state’s most prominent landmarks. Mawlamyine is the main gateway to south-eastern Myanmar and has an illustrious past as the capital of British Burma. It featured in a number of famous writings such as George Orwell’s 1936 memoir, “Shooting an Elephant” and Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “The Road to ”. Its charm remains to this day; rich history and deep roots in Buddhism mix with colonial architecture, coupled with diverse traditions like the weaving of colourful local fabrics.

Attractions such as Khayone Cave, Kyauktalon Taung (a flat rock formation 91m high with a Buddhist shrine atop), Zin Kyaik Waterfall plus the coastal areas of Kyaikkami, , Bilu Kyun and Gaunsay Kyun make for a varied and interesting topology. is home to an atmospheric memorial to the 100,000 prisoners of war and civilians who perished at the hands of the Japanese during the construction, on perilous terrain, of the so- called “Death Railway” in WWII. The railway was made infamous by the epic 1957 film “Bridge on the River Kwai”. RELIGIOUS SITES Myanmar’s ancient birthplace of Theravada Buddhism

With deep Buddhist roots, it will come as no surprise to discover that Mon is studded with golden pagodas and impressive religious sites such as the world’s largest reclining Buddha, Win Sein Taw Ya. The approach to it is quite a sight to see because it is lined with a procession of some 500 larger-than-life concrete burgundy-robed monks. (Golden Rock), the third most important Buddhist destination in Myanmar (after ’s and Mandalay’s Mahamuni Pagoda), is by far Mon’s most famous site. It appears as if it is floating and is a wonderful place to watch the sun set.

Kyaik Than Lan Pagoda, built in 875 is thought to be the setting where Rudyard Kipling wrote “Mandalay”, a famous poem penned and published during colonial Burma in 1890. Linked to it by a covered walkway is the state’s largest temple complex, Mahamuni Pagoda. Mon has many surprising religious sites like the little known Nwa-la-bo which consists of a stupa on top of three stacked, sausage-shaped gold boulders; Kyaik Ka Mi Yele Pagoda, a metal-roofed Buddha shrine complex perched over the sea as well as Kyaikami Yele Pagoda, Sein Yin Hmyaw Pagoda and Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda.

KAYIN A tranquil place to free your spirit, up high or down low

For those who tackle the steps to reach Mount Zwegabin’s of the lake reflect back a mirror image making for the perfect 722m-peak, the monkeys will provide entertainment along the photo opportunity. Another interesting attraction is Kyone Htaw way. The effort is rewarded by fabulous views from Kayin’s Waterfall, near the town of Hlaing Bwe. Encircled by a pristine most famous landmark. Visitors wishing to enjoy the sunset forest it draws fascinated tourists due to its naturally green- spend the night in the monastery, atop one of Myanmar’s most coloured water. sacred mountains. Down by the river Shwe Yin Myaw Pagoda, located on the bank of Thanlwin, is a favourite spot for tourists Developed by the British in Victorian times, to provide respite to watch the setting sun. Its compound is home to statues of from the heat, is a hill station that is becoming a dragon and a giant frog who, according to legend, created a popular resort town. Located in the north of the state, it is the city. mainly inhabited by Bwe Kayin (Karen) people who are largely Christians and enjoy romantic folklore. Like many of Myanmar’s One of Kayin’s most amazing sights is Kyauk Kalap, a pagoda less populated areas, traditions are revered especially locally. perched on the summit of a sheer rock that rises stunningly However, the lively and joyous Kayin Don Dance is famous out of an artificial lake. It is a unique experience to spend time throughout Myanmar. Originating as a celebration of the harvest marvelling at the unspoiled nature surrounding this special and the New Year it is also now performed in competitions pagoda near Hpa An. At certain times the usually still waters outside of the state. CAVES An amazing network of sacred limestone caves

Kayin is well known for its caves, the two most famous of which are Bayinnyi and Kawgun. Bayinnyi Cave is in a large complex with hot springs at the base of the hill near Mount Zwegabin whereas Kawgun Cave (also known as Kawgoon) is very close to the state capital. The latter features thousands of tiny clay Buddha images and carvings, some dating back as far as the 7th century. Mounted on the walls and roof of the main cave it is quite an impressive sight. Some of the caves are intriguing for other reasons.

For example Sadan Cave takes about 10-15 minutes to walk through and exits onto lovely views of a lake and paddy fields. On the other hand Kaw Ka Taung consists of 3 caves, only 2 of which are open to the public. The first has a tiled floor and numerous Buddha statues while the second is along a path and is a water-filled cave that serves as a “swimming hole”. For visitors wishing to explore further, Kayin is home to at least 5 other caves which are of interest; namely Phakat, Htaungwi, Yathaepyan, Wepyan & Pathone Khayone. Myanmar with its cities and neighbouring countries

Destination: Mon State & Kayin State CHINA

Destination Climate: Mon - Tropical / Kayin - Hot & humid BHUTAN Putao State Borders: Mon - Kayin State, Andaman Sea, Bago CHINA INDIA Region, & Myitkyina Kayin - Mon State, , , Shan BANGLADESH Bhamo State, & Thailand

Kale MYANMAR INDIA Mogok Lashio State Size: Mon - 12,296 sq km / 4,748 sq miles Hakna Pyin Oo Lwin VIETNAM Kayin - 30,383 sq km / 11,731 sq miles Mandalay

Bagan State Capital: Mon - Mawlamyine & Kayin - Hpa An Taunggyi Mrauk Oo Inlay Magway LAOS Nay Pyi Taw State Population: Mon - 2.05 million (2014) & Kayin - 1.57 Loikaw KAYAH STATE million (2014) Kyaukpyu Prome

Ngapali Destination Lineage: Mon - Mon, Bamar, Chin, Kachin, Hinthada Bago Mon Thaton Anglo-Burmese, Kayin, Rakhine, Shan & Burmese -Thai Hpa-an Ngwe Saung Pathein Yangon

Kayin - Karen, Padaung, Bamar, Shan, Pa-O, Mon, Rakhine THAILAND & Burmese-Thai Ye Destination Languages: Mon & Kayin - Mon, Kayin, Bamar, Myanmar/ Burmese & limited English Kayin CAMBODIA

Religions: Mon - Buddhism & Christianity Myeik Kayin - Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, & Animism How To Get There: Access to these states is easy by car, Kawthaung express coach services and train from Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw. Many visit Golden Rock first and from there the toll roads forks to either Mawlamyine or Hpa An. A pleasant boat trip connecting the two capitals is also possible. www.myanmar.travel visit.myanmar facebook.com/myanmartm

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